The Starbites RPG Arrives in Japan on October 16 for Consoles

Sci-fi RPG fans in Japan have a date to mark on their calendars. Publisher Happinet and developer IKINAGAMES have announced that their new turn-based RPG, The Starbites, will launch on October 16 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch in Japan. While a Western and PC release is confirmed to be in development, international fans will need to wait a bit longer for specific dates.

A Story of Hope on a Ruined Planet

The Starbites invites players to the planet BITTER, a once-beautiful world now left in ruins after a massive galactic war. The story follows a young woman named Lukida who lives in Delight City, a strange and lively settlement in the middle of the desolation. She dreams of finding a new future away from the dust and destruction of her home.

What starts as a simple adventure quickly becomes a deeper journey. As Lukida explores the world, she begins to uncover the hidden truths behind the war that destroyed BITTER and learns about the important role she has to play in what happens next.

Developed by the indie team IKINAGAMES, the game aims to tell an emotional story. The narrative is brought to life with over 50 fully voiced cinematic cutscenes, creating a movie-like experience that explores themes of hope and sadness in a broken world.

Mechs with Personality and Purpose

In The Starbites, mechs are not just war machines; they are a core part of each character’s identity. Every pilot has a unique mech that is designed to match their personality and fighting style. This makes combat deeply personal and strategic.

Players have a huge amount of freedom to customize their mechs. You can change everything from their gear and attacks to their specific role in your team. This means you can build a party that perfectly fits your playstyle.

• Defensive Tank: Create a powerful mech built to absorb damage and protect your team.
• Nimble Striker: Focus on speed and high-damage attacks to take down enemies quickly.
• Support Unit: Use high-tech gadgets and abilities to heal allies and control the battlefield.

These mechs are also essential for exploration. You will use them to travel across the harsh lands of BITTER, discover hidden areas, and find ancient relics from the planet’s past.

Fast and Strategic Turn-Based Battles

While The Starbites is a turn-based RPG, its combat system is designed to be exciting and fast-paced. IKINAGAMES has included mechanics that add real-time energy to the fights, keeping players engaged in every battle.

A key feature is the “Driver’s High” system, which acts like a limit break. By building up energy in combat, you can unleash a powerful and flashy special move that can easily turn the tide of a difficult fight. The game also features a “Support System” that allows your team members to perform powerful combo attacks together.

Success in battle relies on smart tactics. Players will need to use teamwork, exploit enemy weaknesses, and plan their moves carefully to win. The focus is on synergy and strategy, with big animations that make every turn feel impactful.

Japanese Release Details and a Look Ahead

For now, the October 16 release date is only for console players in Japan. Physical editions will be available for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, while the Xbox Series X|S version will be digital-only at launch.

Here is a quick summary of the Japanese launch information:

The publisher has confirmed that plans for the Western and PC (Steam) release are being finalized. While no timeline was given, fans are hopeful that a global launch could follow a few months after the Japanese debut. Until then, the rest of the world will have to wait for more news.